Discussion Questions

Factual:
1. What is the purpose of soma within the World State? How does it enforce the World State values? (Alex L.)
2. What is the Reservation? (Alex L.)
3. How does Bernard react to the news that he might be exiled? (Alex L.)
4. Why does Bernard so reluctant to take the soma? (Alex L.)
5. How does Bernard react when he finds out that he may be exiled? (Alex L.)
6. What are the reactions of Lenina and Bernard respectively while they are hovering over the river? (Yeun Seok L.)
7.
Why would Bernard refuse to take Soma at the end? (Yeun Seok L.)
8. Why does Bernard tells Lenina that he did not really want to have sex with her during the first night? (Brian M)
9. What is the Solidarity Service? (Yeun Seok L.)

Interpretive:
1. In what new ways introduced in this section does the World State assert its power over the people? (Alex L.)
2. In what ways is Bernard isolated form the rest of the society? (Alex L.)
3. What does the fence that separates civilization from the rest of the world symbolize? (Alex L.)
4. How does Lenina symbolize the World State ideal? (Yeun Seok L.)

5. What is Bernard's definition of freedom? (Brian M)
6. What is Lenina's definition of freedom? (Brian M)
7. Describe the "rest of the world" and how does this society differ from the society that Bernerd is living in. (Brian M)
8. What does soma symbolizes? (Brian M)
9. What is Huxely trying to say about the World State when it comes to freedom? (Brian M)


Evaluative:
1. In your opinion is soma effective in keeping pursuit of happiness? (Brian M)
2. Is happiness and truth compatible? Explain why. (Brian M)
3. In what way is promiscuity shown in Chapter 5? (Yeun Seok L.)
4. Promiscuity is one of the main themes of the book and is thoroughly shown in Chapter 5. Do you agree or disagree with Aldous Huxley's interpretation and relationships in an utopian society? (Yeun Seok L.)
5. Do you agree or disagree about Huxley's behavior towards the word state? (Yeun Seok L.)
6. How can Community, Identity, and Stability be shown in these chapters? (Yeun Seok L.)
7. Compare and contrast Lenina and Bernard’s definition of freedom. (Brian M)